Between 2008 and 2011, he was, in fact, a triple-A player — and an effective one at that. Over those four seasons Guzman hit .319 with 44 home runs and 209 RBIs.

Yet, until two years ago, the Venezuela native had appeared in only 12 major league games, all with the San Francisco Giants in 2009. Suspect defense at first base was the compelling case against his lack of advancement. The Giants later dropped him from the 40-man roster.

Their subtraction turned out to be the find of the Padres’ 2011 season. Promoted in June, Guzman hit .312 with five home runs and 44 RBIs in 76 games. Projected over a full season, he would have finished with 45 doubles and 90 RBIs.

“I needed that, because I don’t want to waste my time in the big leagues,” Guzman said Friday before the Padres’ exhibition against the Texas Rangers at the Alamodome. “I say, ‘God, thank you for that moment right there, because that opened a lot of eyes for my career.'

“Now I’m trying to work to keep that, trying to be better every day and trying to hit the ball good. That’s what I’m looking for right now.”

What the Padres are looking for at the moment is a versatile contributor who mashes left-handed pitching, even more so given the rash of injuries that has sapped a lineup without the suspended Yasmani Grandal.

Already a strong candidate to make the Opening Day roster, Guzman could make an appearance off the bench as soon as the Padres’ season-opening series against the Mets in New York.

“He’ll get some starts in the outfield,” Padres manager Bud Black said, “get some starts at first, be ready to hit every night, which could happen in a National League game.

“Good National League player, real good National League player.”

While Guzman will mostly back up Carlos Quentin in left field, he’s also available to fill in at first base for Yonder Alonso. He could see spot duty in right field, at second and at third.

Last season Guzman started 43 games in left field, 14 at first base and seven in right field. He also came off the bench to play second in four games.

“He’s just become more comfortable as a defender,” Roberts said. “I think he’s kinda gotten over the hump and become a major league player.”

The offense, since Guzman joined the Padres, has been there all along. In 215 at-bats against lefties over the last two years, he’s hit .316 with eight home runs and 35 RBIs.

He hit just .247 overall last season, but accumulated a .303 average against southpaws. He finished the year with nine homers and 48 RBIs in 287 at-bats.

“To have a right-handed bat off the bench, he can drive in runs and play the outfield and play first base,” Roberts said. “He’s an integral part of what we’re trying to do.”

Guzman is finishing off another strong spring. Entering Friday’s game against the Rangers, he was hitting .325 and tied for second on the roster with four home runs in 40 at-bats.

In 2012, he hit six homers while the Padres camped in Arizona.

“I don’t see anything different with Guzy that we haven’t seen the last couple years,” Black said.

Except perhaps the defense, which seems to be coming on at his primary positions, left field and first base.

Not that Guzman minds which it is on any given night.

“Right now it doesn’t matter,” Guzman said. “Right now I’m trying to be inside both lines, no matter where.”

Said Roberts: “I think a credit to Guzy is he’s ready to accept any role that comes his way. … He does a great job of preparing himself. He’s a real professional.”